SIN

Sin is disobedience to Allah Ta‘ala, whereas “Itaa‘at” is submission to His will. Since sin is an act of disobedience, all sins are equal concerning their gravity. Therefore, there is no absolute difference in severity between sins. However, we must not forget that circumstances may lead a person to commit one sin over another, prompting the fuqaha (Islamic jurists) to categorize sins according to the categorical or non-categorical authenticity of the source of their prohibition

For example, a person condemned for consuming pork or goat meat that has not been slaughtered according to Islamic principles must choose the latter alternative—because a goat, in itself, is pure and it is only the incorrect method of slaughter that renders it haram. In contrast, pork is entirely impure. This example is sufficient to demonstrate that the deliberate consumption of a goat that has not been slaughtered according to Islamic principles is a sin just like consuming pork, but it is relatively less serious. Therefore, the minor or major sin is a relative thing that does not exclude the gravity of the former (minor sin).

A sin, since it incurs the wrath of Allah is serious whether it is minor or major. The commission of the sin incurs the wrath of Allah just as the successive and regular commission of the minor sin makes it reach the degree of major sin since it makes the perpetrator familiar with the disobedience of Allah Ta'ala, which sooner or later leads the perpetrator to heedlessness towards Deen. Heedlessness towards Deen is the main cause of all sins. It is in this sense that the commission of the minor sin must be avoided at all costs, since it resembles a hole in a ship capable of sinking it.

Major sin is forgiven by Taubah (repentance). However, Allah Ta'ala can forgive whoever He wants without Taubah by His infinite grace. On the other hand, the minor sin is forgiven and erased through abstaining from the major sins. Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'an-e-Kareem:

"If you avoid the major sins that are forbidden from, We shall wipe out your evil actions (minor sins)..." (4:31)

Similarly, there are good deeds that erase the minor sins. According to the scholars, the erasure / deletion of sins by the good deeds that are mentioned in some Ahaadith, such as the correct performance of Wuzu, walking towards the Masjid, reciting the Durud Sharif and other Tasbihaat, concerns the minor sins.

The commission of sin blackens the heart, which is the source of virtues and good deeds. According to a Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) said: "When a servant commits a sin, a black spot stains his heart. If he repents, the stain is erased. However, if he continues to sin, the stain worsens and spreads until it covers his heart.”

The gravity of sin is evident in the light of this Hadith because it paralyzes the heart and renders it barren. At that stage, the person becomes hostile and allergic to all that is good, ultimately leading to complete disobedience, i.e. kufr.

"Those who commit evil and whose evil acts have enveloped them, these are the ones who will be the occupants of the Fire where they will live forever." (2:81)

This verse shows us the possibility of completely losing taufiq due to an abundance of sin, which ultimately leads to kufr.

Kufr, being the total rejection of the divine law, is the main cause of all social evils such as immorality, insecurity and instability. The commission of sins, apart from harming society, sooner or later leads to the main cause of all material and spiritual evils which is Kufr.

اَللّٰهُمَّ احْفَظْنَا مِنْهُ

O Allah, protect us from it.

Therefore, both individual and social prosperity, in this world and the hereafter, material and spiritual, lie in abstaining from sin and adhering to taqwa, which involves fulfilling Allah Ta‘ala’s commandments and avoiding the forbidden. This is termed as Taqwa and Taqwa ensures brotherhood, unity, and prosperity.

 [English version of "Le péché" – Al Haadi – Vol. 3 No. 1]